NEW DELHI: Home Minister S.B.Chavan declared on Oct.20 that he did not favor creation of new states at the present juncture as the nation was already grappling with a number of sensitive issues.

In an interview, the Home Minister also categorically ruled out the appointment of new states reorganization commission, “We do not propose to appoint such a commission,” he said adding that certain problems thrown up by the last reorganization of states were yet to be resolved. “This is not the proper time to undertake such an exercise.” The Home Minister, whose recent remarks on the demand for a Jharkhand state had sparked off a major controversy, said that he would soon present his report on this issue to the Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs. Chavan said that he favored the convening of an all-party meet to take a view on the Jharkhand demand.

Asked about the conflicting views in the Congress party on the Jharkhand issue, the Home Minister said the government would go by the opinion of the party leadership. The opinion of the AICC will prevail over other opinions he said.

Article extracted from this publication >> October 30, 1992